2017 All-East County, All-CIF, All-League Teams

In my third year of covering softball in San Diego County the one thing I will have to say is that the competition keeps getting better every year. This was the case in the East County this past season as each team represented very well.

The representation showed itself in the San Diego CIF Playoffs with every team making it in their respective divisions. The majority of the teams made runs in the playoffs including Mount Miguel winning its first CIF Title in twenty years in Division 5, Christian after moving up a division coming back from the challengers bracket to claim the Division III crown after winning in Division IV last year and of course Santana who came from the challengers bracket after losing the semi-finals to league foe Steele Canyon to playing them in the championship game and claiming the Division II crown which was their first since 2013. In Division I, you had West Hills push their way to the semi-finals and in the Open Division, Granite Hills made a run to the semi-finals. The talent and mixture of underclassmen fueled the runs that each team made and showed why East County was a beast to be dealt with.

Turning things to the coaches. It was these two that stood out in such a competitive season and guided their teams to the next level and this is why they are tabbed EastCountySports.com Co-Coaches of the Year.

First off at Christian, the veteran coach GEORGE GENTRY who guided the Patriots to a tournament victory in the Monte Vista Spring Gold tournament and also since they were moved up a division to division III made a run through the Division III playoffs to a championship for the second straight year as they had won Division IV last year. The Patriots improved by 11 games to 26 wins this year. Coach Gentry did an excellent job in preparing his girls for everything they saw this year and it definitely showed in their play and their ability to play in the higher Division.

The other coach to make his mark on the season was veteran coach JOHN FAILLA who guided the Sultans to a 24 win season which included a run in the Cougar Classic and again a tie for second in the very tough and ultra-competitive Grossmont Hills League. The 24 wins in a season is in the top 5 for wins in a season for the school. He had them prepared as they beat some of the top teams in the county this past season. Those included Patrick Henry who was ranked No. 5 at the time, Ramona who was No. 2 at the time.

These three players made their presence known on their respective teams and also throughout the season. It was because these players meant a lot to their teams they are tabbed EastCountySports.com Tri-Players of the Year.

First up is SILENT RAIN ESPINOZA (Christian). The junior shortstop really set the tone for the Patriots at the leadoff spot. On the season offensively she had 63 hits which put her tied for second all-time in a season with LISA DODD and second in CIF History behind ALLI GUNTER who also played at Christian and set the record in 2009. Along with her hits, she also scored 64 runs and drove in 34 RBI. Her 9 home runs on the season put her in the top 10 for a season in CIF History and up there in Grossmont Conference history and also her 19 doubles ties her for fourth in CIF history as well for a season. Batting wise she hit .569 which also will go into the record books.

Next up is HANNAH MCEWEN (Patrick Henry). For the second straight year she really did it on both ends in the field. The senior outfielder despite missing games early on really set the tone offensively from the leadoff spot. On the year she batted .521 with 50 hits which will put her name in the record books. She also belted 6 homeruns, along with driving in 28 runs and scoring 41 runs. On the bases she swiped 22 bases. She helped propel the Patriots again to the No. 1 seed and again to the Finals in Division I.

Finally, MACKENZIE BENNETT (Santana). The junior catcher really stepped her game up this season as she again batted .519 with 54 which is good for 11th in CIF San Diego Section history. She also belted 9 homeruns which included a 2-run shot in the Division II Title tilt. To go with the homeruns she also ripped 15 doubles which is in the upper half of the record book for a season. Besides the offense she showed why she was force defensively as again only a few coaches decided to steal against her when playing the Sultans.

This year again when it came to pitching there was a lot of talent but these two really stood out as they each had a big role in their teams’ successes. It is because of this they are each named EastCountySports.com Co-Pitchers of the Year.

ASHLEY CARTER (Christian) a junior who helped the Patriots make the adjustment from Division IV to III as she came up big in the biggest of games. She helped the Patriots claim the No. 3 seed in the Division III playoffs and on the season finished 20-8. On the season she pitched 194 2/3 innings in which she posted a 2.70 ERA. One of the big highlights besides winning the championship game was finally beating University City in the challengers bracket elimination game to reach the Championship. University City had beaten them three times prior and it was her ability to limit the Centurion offense that punched their ticket.

MADISON MENDEZ (Santana) a sophomore who this year really showed why she is a force as she came up big on the biggest of stages. On the season she finished 24-7 along with a 2.03 ERA in 213 1/3 innings of work. The 24 wins are in the top 5 for a season in school history and also will put her in the CIF record books as well. Throughout the season she showed her poise especially against the top teams, against Ramona she only gave up 3 hits and 1 run to a potent Bulldogs offense in the victory. Mendez really came back in the playoffs despite losing the winners’ semi-finals game to Steele Canyon, came back and won the challengers’ bracket contest against Del Norte and in the championship game really came up big as she was able to get out of a few jams as Steele Canyon threatened.

This year was probably one of the best years when it came to freshman and because of this these three from Granite Hills are selected as EastCountySports.com Tri-Rookies of the Year. To have three really talented freshmen who all contributed the way they did is amazing and because of this things bode well for the Eagles the next couple of years.

HALEY JOHNSON (Granite Hills) – She took over the catching duties a few games in and when she did she was able to showcase her talents and also show that the future behind the plate for the Eagles is in excellent hands. Besides her defensive prowess, her skills also showed offensively as she shined on the big stages including going 2-3 against Ramona in the Championship game of the Cougar Classic. On the season she batted .455 while driving in 23 runs. Johnson was one of the key reasons for the Eagles making the Open Division in CIF and also for making a deep run to the Semi-Finals.

STACI CHAMBERS (Granite Hills) – Another freshman who was both a pitcher and hitter in which she showcased her duel talents. The lefty was nasty in the circle as it showed in the semi-finals of the Platinum bracket of the Cougar Classic in which she limited Cathedral Catholic to only 3 runs in the victory. In 92 2/3 innings she struck out 111 batters and also had an anemic .89 ERA to go with her 9-3 record on the season. When she wasn’t in the circle she was showcasing her hitting skills. On the season she finished with a .393 average.

BAILEY WALLACE (Granite Hills) – The third stud freshman for the Eagles definitely showed she can do it all in the outfield and at the plate. She showed up big in games especially the finals of the Platinum bracket of the Cougar Classic against Ramona in which went 3-3, drove in 3 runs including a homerun. Against Santana late in the season in a crucial moment late in the game trailing by a run, she hit the go a head homerun to propel the Eagles to the victory. On the season she batted .402, driving in 27 runs and scoring 21 and belted 3 home runs. She along with her teammates will help make things exciting in East County and also help keep Granite Hills on the right track.

The final award goes to a couple of players who contributed the most but was considered stealth during the season contribution wise. The award goes to a player that doesn’t necessarily get all the credit they deserve as they might be part of a bigger picture. Earning the EastCountySports.com Unsung Hero award because these two exemplified these qualities.

AUDREY SHEBLOSKI (Christian) – Another talented freshman from the crop that showcased their talents this year. She was a big part of the Patriots run through Division III and a reason they were able to win the championship for the second straight year. She had a huge hit in the championship game against High Tech SD that scored a couple of runs late in the seventh inning and in doing so went 2-4 in the game. On the season she collected 42 hits and batted .365, while driving in 25 RBIs and scoring 18 runs. Shebloski did all her damage from the five spot which helped keep things going.

ALEXA WILLIAMS (El Capitan) – On a team that had a lot of seniors on it this freshman came in and made an impact right away. Williams showed she was a duel threat as she was able to show her hitting skills in which she collected 34 hits for a .425 average. She also belted 6 home runs and drove in 36 RBIs and scored 24 runs. Pitching wise she won some games for the Vaqueros including the first game against Helix which gave them an advantage heading into the final game of the season. She was one of the big reasons for the Vaqueros resurgence this past season in claiming a share of the Valley League and also a No. 4 seed in Division III and making it to the third round of the playoffs.